The Evening Gun: Volume three in War of 1812 Trilogy Read online

  When he realized that this meeting would lead nowhere, the commodore suggested that his captains’ attendance would no longer be necessary and the three men, with Carronade, left the River Rose for the sweltering heat of a late July morning in southern Maryland.

  “Well, I reckon the high point of that get-together was when the gen’ral met Carronade. I thought he was gonna back right out through the window – leastways, ‘til he fell over the chair.” Clements laughed to his mates.

  “Aye. Even the commodore was grinnin’ like a dog with a mouthful o’ bees. An’ he hates that dog o’ your’n Jack.” Luke Cooper’s normally taciturn face split into a grin as he recalled the scene. “Jared ain’t gonna believe this one. Too bad he’s settin’ on his arse up to Baltimore waiting on the Royal Navy to show up. Commodore sure seems almighty sure they’s goin’ after the Capital.” Cooper was back to his serious self again, the incident in the tavern now well astern. He likely would drag it out again to share with his mate Jared Talbot when they met up, but for now, it was not the time for laughin’ and skylarkin’.

  Isaac spoke for the first time since the meeting began. “I reckon what the commodore said about the British bein’ after us was likely right. Only a matter of time ‘til they sail up the river and get after us. And we ain’t got no place to go but further in. Too bad we didn’t try for the Bay when we got out of St. Leonard Creek. We mighta been…”

  “Aye, Isaac, but then we’da never made Benedict.” Clements looked at his fellow deep-waterman and winked. “And by the by, you ain’t never told me nothin’ about your dinner with the sweet young Miss Sarah and her Colonel Daddy. You been silent as a clam ‘bout that.” Jack looked earnestly at Biggs, but the twinkle in his eyes said it all.

  “Well, Jack, it was right pleasant. Sarah met me at the green there in the middle of town just like she said she would and we walked to her father’s house. It wasn’t near as grand as that one near the green where Mister Summers lives, but it was right nice. Her father remembered me from the meetin’ that morning and we set and talked about the war an’ my time in the Royal Navy while Sarah fixed up a fine supper. Better’n peas and biscuits, I’ll tell you!” He looked at Clements earnestly.

  “Aye, I’d warrant it were, Isaac. But I’d reckon if she’d afixed you weevily hard tack and wormy salt horse you’d a thought it splendid.” Jack’s normally cheerful face beamed at Biggs.

  Isaac was not deterred in the slightest. “Oh I ain’t so sure on that, Jack; it was a mighty fine meal. And they had wine and something like a plum pudding after. Splendid it was, I’m tellin’ you. The colonel told me ‘bout the militia and that they met up with Colonel Wadsworth. I told him we ain’t had such a good relationship with the militia folks we met up with so far, but he said his militia was different. And they’d fight if’n they got the chance. Said Wadsworth had a lot of men camped right behind Benedict, he did. And just waitin’ on the Royal Marines to show up. Course, now they’s likely up on the Annapolis road, ‘cordin’ to the gen’ral.”

  “Aye, I can surely believe that. You seen what Wadsworth’s troops done down to St. Leonard Creek; why they run off afore the Redcoats even landed. They’ll fight indeed!” Luke Cooper had been listening to Isaac’s story and interjected his feelings on the militia. Most of the sailors agreed with him and had little faith in the Army or the militia.

  “So what happened after supper Isaac?” Jack prodded his friend. “You ain’t told me nothin’ real important yet.” The grin broadened.

  “Well, Jack. There ain’t much to tell. She and I sat for a spell and talked about the flotilla and what I done afore joinin’ Barney. Told her about you bein’ up to Melville Island after fightin’ with Cap’n Lawrence on the Chesapeake and me bein’ on the Gen’l Washington. Told her I was in the Royal Navy, too. She was interested in that. An’ she asked me about what happened to Doc Plumm. Told her we reckoned he was more likely to help the British than us. She just nodded her head at that – almost like she already knew it.

  “After a time, she walked with me back to the dock. It was right nice, I’ll tell you, Jack. She’s something special, I think. And I surely do enjoy bein’ in her company. Makes me feel good, the way she looks at me. Sometimes though, she looks at me with them eyes of hers and I can’t even think. Everything just goes right out of my head, it does. Feels like a big wave broke over me when she does it.”

  Isaac’s mind drifted back to that wonderful evening and he smiled secretly as he recalled the way Sarah had taken his hand as they walked and then lightly brushed his cheek with her lips as they parted. He tripped on a brick left in the road and barely noticed. His mates did, however, and Luke nudged Clements with his elbow and smiled.

  “You sound mighty sweet on this girl, Isaac. Watch you ain’t out over your head. Water can get real tricky when you get yourself into it far enough. Be just like a landsman takin’ command of a vessel when the weather turns ugly. You mind my words.” Jack words were ominous, but his voice still had the usual smile in it. “How did her mother take to you, Isaac. Was she…”

  “Her mother’s gone, Jack. Passed on, I reckon, a couple years back from the fever. She said Doc Plumm couldn’t do nothing but give her laudanum to ease her passin’. I…she told me she’s been takin’ care of her father ever since. Likely why she’s as headstrong as she is. But I like the way she is.” The young seaman smiled at his mate as they arrived at the end of the dock and found a boat waiting for them.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Nottingham, Maryland

  My dear Sir:

  I had the honor of receiving your instructions delivered on board on the twenty-seventh instant by messenger regarding the feasibility of moving the Flotilla overland from Queen Anne’s on the Patuxent River to the South River, and thence by that river to the defense of Annapolis, should such become necessary in the event of an attack by British forces at that city.

  To that end, I have sent a boat and surveyors to the location directed to determine the potential and requirements for such an undertaking. The vessel has only just returned and I herewith offer the following report.

  The depth of water at that point in the Patuxent River is such that only the shallower draft barges might actually reach beyond Queen Anne’s and would necessitate leaving the gunboats and sloops further down river at a point some distance from the town. There is a place where they might be taken onto the land and thence to the road where the Flotilla would again be complete, meeting up with the afore- mentioned barges.

  In order to move fourteen vessels overland from Queen Anne’s or the lower point of withdrawal, there would exist the following requirements:

  450 draft horses

  64 wagons of sufficient weight capacity

  56 pair of dray wheels

  150 teamsters

  Noting the apparent paucity of both horses and wagons available in this area, I respectfully submit that this proposal, while not without merit, would face overwhelming logistical problems. In addition, the traitorous populace resident in this area would likely betray our activities to the enemy, putting the entire Flotilla and men at some considerable risk, esp. during the landing and launching of our vessels.

  Should your decision be to carry out this plan, I would need only one day to effect it and, should the necessary horses & c be available, authorization from your Office to appropriate said horses, wagons, & c would be most welcome. As the banks on the riverside at Queen Anne’s are not as daunting as those at St. Leonard Creek, it would be possible to move the vessels to the road with due alacrity.

  When I met with Gen’l Winder this week past, I was given to understand that his opinion, which was voiced in strong terms, was that the location of the next British attack would fall at Annapolis, a view with which I disagree most strenuously. As I have mentioned to you and Secretary Monroe, it is my feeling that Washington City is at some peril from attack and that it will come overland from this location or further south at Benedict.

 
To that end, I respectfully request that the Flotilla be maintained here at Nottingham, being in a position to delay any movement of the enemy fleet beyond this point and thus giving time to prepare a defense of the Capital City. I can do naught but suggest that the enemy would be unlikely to leave this town untouched as the riches of the area would be most attractive to them.

  I shall continue to observe the movements of the enemy with all the resources at my disposal and I shall provide timely reports to your Office giving any particulars concerning their movement. I and my Flotilla stand ready to act in concert with your wishes and as circumstances may dictate. I have the honor to be, Sir, your most humble servant,

  Joshua Barney July 30th, 1814

  Commodore

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  “Get your men together, Isaac, and take your sloop down to the Bay. I need to know what’s actin’ down there. I get reports daily about more ships comin’ in with more and more soldiers. Then I get a report they’re sailin’ up the river toward Benedict. Ain’t a single damn one of ‘em I can believe less’n I find out myself what’s right or not.”

  Commodore Barney stood on the shore with several of his captains as the pink and orange tinged fingers of dawn splayed out over the cloudless eastern sky, bathing the river and surrounds in a warm, gentle glow. Another day with the promise of uncomfortable heat.

  The furrows in Barney’s brow spoke silently of his dilemma; he trusted no one nor any of the information provided by the local citizenry. He was concerned and frustrated by both the inadequacy of his intelligence and his inability to fight his flotilla. At least he could find out for himself what the enemy was up to. Whether he would then be in a position to fight remained to be seen.

  “Aye, sir. I’ll take Jack with me and a few of his men. They answered right fine when we was down to the creek last month. And I still got them extra guns I found in Benedict.” Isaac was frustrated by inactivity as well and, while he enjoyed the occasional visit the flotilla made to Benedict, it was not the same as engaging the enemy. He turned and headed for the short pier and the small boat which had brought him ashore.

  “And don’t get yourself caught, Isaac. I need you and that sloop back here quick as ever you can make it.” Barney fired off the warning and the young New Englander waved a hand in response.

  Isaac was about to step into his boat when he heard a horse’s hoofs beating on the dry, hard-packed dirt of the road. Another messenger from Washington, I’ll warrant. And probably with some other hair-brained orders for us – move the flotilla overland to Washington! He smiled ruefully to himself as he sat down and pushed off.

  “Hold on, Isaac!” Jake Tate’s voice caused him to stop and look back toward the shore. Sure enough, there was the one-armed seaman sitting astride a chestnut mare as she picked her way down the pier.

  Tate jumped off her back, pulled a tie from the saddle, and yanked down his scant seabag from where it had been secured behind him. Throwing the bag over his shoulder, he turned the horse over to a handy flotilla sailor and strode purposefully to the end of the dock. A grin split his face as Isaac gave an order for the boat to return for him.

  “Well, Jake. Glad to see you made it back. I collect all was well in Frederick – and with your bride?”

  “Aye, just fine, it were. And it was right nice bein’ with Charity for a spell. But I’ll tell you, she put up a real fuss when I told her I had to get back down here. I’da been here yesterday, was you all in Benedict; went there first, then had to double back up here. Some cove down there told me you all was hunkered down waitin’ for the Royal Navy to attack.” He looked around at the gunboats and barges anchored in the stream. There was no unusual activity visible. “Don’t look like ‘hunkered down’ to me.”

  “No, we ain’t seen hide nor hair of ‘em since Jack and I sailed back down to the Creek – right after you headed north, it was. Took us a prize, we did. But then we lost it in another scrap with ‘em. Jack and I’ll tell you all about it while we’re sailin’.” Isaac’s smile was made it clear to the young man that his return was timely and most welcome.

  The boat stopped by Clements’ sloop to let Jack know he and some of his men were needed, and then on to the other sloop. All the while Jake kept up a steady stream of chatter about homey matters, his time picnicking with his wife, and his complete disregard for her family. They still felt the war a complete waste of time, a great expense with little to gain, and a major disruption of their commerce with England. Isaac felt a little pang of jealousy at Tate’s “homey” stories. He could picture himself alternately visiting with his own parents and picnicking with Sarah Thomas.

  Jake spat over the side as they approached the side of the sloop. “And Charity’s daddy – he thinks the banks are about to shut down on account of the war. Said if that happens, the whole country ain’t gonna last long. ‘Can not do business anywhere, Chauncey, my boy, without the availability of credit and banking services.’ ” Jake did a fair impression of Charity’s Federalist father.

  Then he switched back to his own voice. “Won’t even call me ‘Jake,’ by God, Isaac. Says if my mama wanted me called ‘Jake’ she wouldn’ta named me Chauncey. Ain’t that some’pin?” He went on, again assuming the role of Charity’s father. “ ‘Why, the whole system’s going to fall apart. And it won’t matter a lick if a body is engaged in commerce or the military; no one will be able to accomplish a thing without the banks. Shows a complete lack of confidence in the action of Mister Madison’s government, by God. At least by those who matter!’ ”

  Jake heaved his bag over the sloop’s bulwark and climbing after it, looked at his friend and captain. “What’s that mean, Isaac? I cain’t reckon that the whole country gonna quit just on account of the banks not workin’. I never had much use for ‘em anyway.”

  “Jake, I ain’t got any idea. Don’t bother with that side of things too much my own self, neither. But I can tell you this: less’n us and the militia can stop the British afore they get to Washington, it won’t make a lick of difference. They won’t be no government or banks to worry about. Now let’s see about gettin’ the barky underway.” He turned towards Clements’ sloop, some fifty yards to weather, and raised his voice. “Heave out an’ up there, Jack. Commodore wants us down there an’ back afore winter.” He got a hard look and an impatient wave from Clements.

  Within an hour and, on a fair tide, the black sloop was headed down river sailing on an easy reach with all sails billowing out in the growing morning breeze. Isaac knew from having been in the area now for some months that the breeze would likely fail him by mid-day and wanted to get as much distance under his keel before then as possible.

  Jack had joined Isaac and Jake on the quarterdeck; Carronade, unwilling to be left behind, stood at his post in the bow of the sloop, watching. By noon time, when dinner was brought out along with the ever-present ration of grog, the two deepwater men had brought Jake current with the goings-on of the flotilla and of their own adventures with the British at St. Leonard Creek. And Jack, with lavish embellishment, had filled him in on Sarah Thomas, to Isaac’s chagrin.

  “It ain’t that way at all, Jake. Ain’t no ‘romance bloomin’ like Jack said nor anything else. She’s just a right nice girl who ain’t thinkin’ like most ‘round here. She wants the British gone and done with. ‘Sides, her father’s a colonel in the Militia.” Jake noticed that as Isaac spoke, the color on his face had deepened and he remembered the chiding he took himself over Charity a year and a half back – from Jack, Robert Coleman and Tim Conoughy and later from Isaac Biggs. He smiled.

  “Aye, Isaac. I know exactly what you’re sayin’. Felt the same way about a girl my own self, once.” The grin broadened.

  “Well, there you are, then. You know exactly what I mean.” Isaac’s tan still showed traces of red.

  “Aye, I surely do. Yes, sir.” He repeated. “And I married her – and damn glad she’d have me.” Jake laughed and Jack slapped the young New Englander on the back.


  “It’s just like I been tellin’ the lads, Isaac. You got yourself hooked just as sure as one o’ them dumb Cod fishes you tol’ me about up to New England.”

  The hilarity on the quarterdeck caused some of the crew to look up from the work they were doing: checking the locks on the cannons amidships and moving shot and powder into place by each gun. Carronade, disinterested in the antics of his master and those others, continued to watch the water ahead, his fur ruffling in the cooling breeze.

  As the sloop swept by Benedict, still with a fair breeze, Isaac caught himself glancing at the dock as it passed a cable’s length away. No sign of anybody there. But then no one knew they were coming, so why would anyone be there to watch them go by. He also caught the looks and nudges his crew passed among themselves as they passed. He forced himself to look away and studied intently the set of the tops’l. Then they were by. And on to somewhere short of Point Patience where they could catch a glimpse of the British fleet.

  With supper time passed and the crew fed, Isaac eased the sloop toward the southern shore and put Sam Hay on the starboard channel with a leadline. He found that by following the corrugations in the shoreline he could maintain sufficient depth under his keel, while at the same time, minimizing his vulnerability to the frigates of the Royal Navy which he presumed were still anchored inside of Point Patience. At least he hoped they were.

  “Jack, you remember that little spit of land what come out the far side just above St. Leonard Creek?” A pause and, after receiving a nod from Clements, he continued. “I think duckin’ in behind there oughtta answer just about right. We’ll take a few of the lads ashore and have a look over to Point Patience from the hill there.”

  “Why not just get the barky into the creek. Be closer and we know the water there.”

  “Aye, and them coves off’n the frigates do as well. Wouldn’t do at all to have one of them cutters or a barge come nosin’ around while we was in the Creek. Commodore’d be real unhappy if’n we didn’t come back with his information.” Isaac smiled and added, “And we come close once to gettin’ ourselves caught in there. That’s enough for me.”